BRIN develops plastic waste-based fuel for fishermen

hartono · Jun 8, 2026

BRIN develops plastic waste-based fuel for fishermen

Head of National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Arif Satria (c) beats a traditional drum to officially open the International SDGs Conference in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday (June 8, 2026). (ANTARA/Abd Kadir)

Makassar (ANTARA) -

National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing a technology that converts plastic waste into fuel for fishermen, aiming to reduce reliance on diesel and support energy self-sufficiency in the maritime sector.

BRIN Head Arif Satria said on Monday the technology, called Liquid Fuel from Plastic Waste with Advanced Pyrolysis System for Industrial Scale, was designed to process plastic waste into fuel for fishing communities.

"Plastic waste often has little value. BRIN has transformed it into fuel for fishermen," Satria said during the International Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), held as part of the 72nd anniversary celebrations of the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

He said continuous conversion of plastic waste into energy could help lower dependence on diesel fuel while creating a more sustainable energy source for coastal communities.

Satria expressed confidence the technology could contribute to Indonesia's energy independence, particularly for fishermen who rely heavily on fuel for daily operations.

"I believe there are still many opportunities in the energy sector that we need to promote, ranging from lower-technology solutions to advanced technologies," he noted.

The agency has also developed advanced waste-processing technologies that have already been implemented in Mataram, on Indonesia's Lombok Island.

The conference brought together researchers from several countries to discuss solutions for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, which are targeted for completion by 2030.

Satria said research should increasingly focus on delivering practical solutions to SDG-related challenges through evidence-based approaches and reliable data.

"It has become a global commitment that the steps we take must be based on strong evidence and data so that our actions carry greater accountability," he said.